10th July 2009

Way to Go! Blackwater Bridleway looking brilliant!

The ‘official’ re-opening of the Bridleway by Moor Green Lakes was attended by (pictured from left to right): Sue Dent, Countryside & Access Manager, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership; Emma Tweed, Countryside Ranger, Wokingham Borough Council;
Andy Scott, (Development Manager, CEMEX, UK);
Cllr Simon Weeks Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment),
Jane Richardson on her horse Gofar; Stuart Croft from the BVCP;
Dave Pilkington, Chairman, Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust;
Cllr Wally Chapman, Footpaths Committee Chairman, Finchampstead Parish Council.

Partners involved in resurfacing a stretch of bridleway alongside Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve near Finchampstead attended the ‘official’ reopening of the route today. Previously the bridleway was very narrow and overgrown and the surface had become badly rutted and extremely muddy making it difficult for horse riders to access and impassable for cyclists. Now that resurfacing work has been completed, access for both riders and cyclists has vastly improved.

In attendance were representatives of local partners who contributed to the project by providing match funding including: Cllr Simon Weeks (Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment), Emma Tweed (Countryside Ranger, Wokingham Borough Council), Cllr Wally Chapman (Footpaths Committee Chairman, Finchampstead Parish Council), Andy Scott (Development Manager, CEMEX, UK), Dave Pilkington (Chairman, Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust) and Sue Dent of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. Local horse rider Jane Richardson with her horse Gofar, who are regular bridleway users, were also in attendance.

Altogether a 700m length of the bridleway was re-surfaced from Lower Sandhurst Road southwards to where it meets the River Blackwater. As the bridleway runs close to a line of mature oak trees a non-digging method was used to lay the path, which included a ‘cellular confinement’ system, so that the tree roots were not damaged. The system basically consists of a 3D plastic honeycomb that is filled with large gravel and topped with hoggin (sandy gravel mix) this helps to protect the tree roots by allowing water and air to get to the them, but preventing the roots from being compacted. This should give a hard wearing surface that will be suitable for use by both horse riders and cyclists.

The project was managed by Emma Tweed from Wokingham Borough Council’s Countryside Service and cost £32,000. Funding was organised by Sue Dent from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership from Natural England, through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF).

Prior to the work Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service had received a number of complaints from horse riders and cyclists about the poor condition of this popular public right of way.

"This has been an example of excellent partnership working which will improve the quality of visit for horse riders and cyclists to the Blackwater Valley, one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of Wokingham Borough,” said Cllr. Simon Weeks.

The ALSF contributed 75% of the total cost with the remaining 25% match funded by Wokingham Borough Council, Finchampstead Parish Council, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust and minerals extraction company CEMEX, with a significant contribution also being made through volunteer work.

The bridleway work was part of a larger bid to improve access in the Blackwater Valley (total value £75,000) involving the upgrading of two sections of the Valley’s footpath network as well as resurfacing the Moor Green Lakes bridleway.

END

More about the ALSF project >>>

For more information contact :
Christine Reeves on 01252 331353.
BVCP, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS

EDITOR’S NOTES

The bridleway improvement was part of a larger project with a total value of £75,000 which was supported by the ALSF. The project also improved two lengths of footpath, one in Farnborough and one in Farnham and funded the purchase of a ‘cut and collect’ mower which will improve the management of path verges and adjacent grassland areas and encourage a wider diversity of flowering plants.
Altogether the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund contributed £54,000, 75% of the total cost of the project; the remaining 25% was met by match funding from Rushmoor Borough Council, Wokingham District Council, Surrey County Council, Finchampstead Parish Council, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust and minerals extraction company CEMEX, with a significant contribution also being made through volunteer work.
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Natural England. The levy on aggregate extraction was introduced in April 2002; part of the money raised by the levy finances the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). The aim of ALSF is to address the environmental and social costs of aggregate extraction through delivery of environmental improvements, minimising the demand for primary aggregates and reducing the local effects of aggregate extraction. For more details visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/grants-funding/alsf
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership was first established in 1979 and is currently funded by the County, District. Town and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater: Hampshire and Surrey County Council, the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Farnham, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Blackwater Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community. For more details visit www.blackwater-valley.org.uk or ring 01252 331353.